Here's A Question I've Been Pondering Because...

[TCGreek]

Curious what this has to do with mega church pastors? I've seen this same attitude in churches with 50 people

If you consider the OP carefully, you will see that it's not limited to megachurches but my concern only stemmed from such.

 

[TCGreek]

Most don't feel "worthy" enough to pray. Some don't know how to pray or think that there is a certain procedure (Jas 5:14-15).

A pastor I play golf with was lamenting this very thing the other day saying that we don't teach our members to pray with the sick and dying -- how to pray, how to encourage, etc. We don't even designate teams of men like elders anymore to visit.

My MiL was really miffed when her pastor didn't visit her dying husband. They believe it is the least a pastor can do for longtime, faithful members.

There's my sense of it.

skypair

We must reverse this trend. But it will be difficult because of the "pastor's syndrome" effect.

 

[Palatka51]

I don't know but my response might a result of many years as a Pastor of a small congregation. I have found that we do invoke the prayers of each other and in fact find them very endearing. To put so much on one man is akin to having a personal priest. This is not the doctrine of Acts chapter 6.

 

[TCGreek]

I don't know but my response might a result of many years as a Pastor of a small congregation. I have found that we do invoke the prayers of each other and in fact find them very endearing. To put so much on one man is akin to having a personal priest. This is not the doctrine of Acts chapter 6.

"Personal priest"--I think that is it right there. We are failing on Jas 5:13-16.

 

[Gold Dragon]

I personally have never felt that it is "better" for my senior pastor to pray for me than my brother/sister in the pew next to me.

I do however appreciate prayers for me and my loved ones from whoever is leading congregational prayer because it represents the entire church praying as opposed to a single person. I'm not sure why I perceive that as "better" but for some reason I do.

 

[bubba jimmy]

I think a man who serves as senior pastor is usually a well spoken person who everyone likes and wants to be near. And, it's his job to project spirituality even on days when things aren't going to great for him. We expect him to always have the right thing to say in every situation, and he usually does. This is all just human nature.

Well, one evening the pastor at a church I was attending (a really big church) said there was going to be a healing service that night. No, not a Benny Hinn "knock 'em in the head and they fall over" healing service, but elders of the church were standing in the back with bottles of anointing oil and if anyone was sick or afflicted that the elders were there to pray for them for their healing. And the pastor just about guaranteed, though not using that exact word, that people would be healed.

Well, my eyesight had been failing me and multiple ophthalmologists had been unable to figure out what was going on. So I got in line, and I was annointed and prayed for. Within two days the name of another ophthalmologist was given to me. I had an appointment the next week, surgery followed, and my vision is now 20/20 with glasses. God heals, and I give Him no less credit for using a doctor to do the busy work.

James made it clear, we are to call on the elders of the church. The pastor is great, and he's one of the elders too of course, but it is the obedience that God wants, not us seeking to promote our good emotional feelings. Give me the youngest elder of the church with a bottle of oil and God will do His part every time.

 

[Palatka51]

When I was in my teens (35 years ago ) we had a similar service and my Great Uncle went forward and the deacons put their hands on his head and the pastor anointed him with olive oil and the hip ailment he had was gone by the next day.:godisgood:

 

[just-want-peace]

I do too.. that is why it blew my mind...

It might be also important to note that they come from the same family that has a high priority on not wasting resources...
In their mind, for me as a pastor to travel 150 miles to pray is a waste of resources since I can pray for them here, and God will answer... And this would be a sign of bad stewardship in their pastor... So we also are having a special prayer at church tonight for them... a circle prayer.

Some people don't want anyone around including their pastor when going through a hospital procedure...

As a pastor, I have to be able to know the "sheep" the Good Shepherd has allowed me to minister to..

And all are different...

Gotta run...

Bless you m' friend, bless you!!

I am one of those who doesn't care for a lot of company when I'm sick; just leave me alone and I will enjoy your company when I'm better. I'd much rather you pray for me from "afar", and visit later or even just a phone call is fine.

Also kudos for acknowledging that people are different and not from the same mold.

I had a birthday a month or so ago, and a friend from church saw me as we were entering church Sun AM, & yelled from 30-40 yards away "Happy birthday!" I was thinking to myself "Please be quiet". I DO NOT LIKE attention focused on me, and this was just begging for bystanders to join in - to my dread; thankfully none did.

He made the comment to me after he got closer, "Everybody likes to be recognized on their birthday, no matter how old they are."

Well, maybe many, or even most do, but I for one do not!! A birthday to me is just another day & nothing significant.

There have been many times past that I was totally unaware of the date until my wife gave me a card/present/greeting sometime during the day.

At any rate I do appreciate that you are aware that some folk do despise/hate/avoid any undue attention, and so honor that desire!